Ariel Sharon, the Israeli prime minister, said yesterday he believed
that conditions were right for a "historic breakthrough" with the
Palestinians.

Mr Sharon, who has welcomed efforts by new Palestinian leader,
Mahmoud Abbas, said: "I believe the conditions have been created to
permit us and the Palestinians to reach…a breakthrough that will lead
us to security and peace."

If the Palestinians worked to "end terrorism, incitement and
violence", Israel could be ready to move forward with contacts on
the "road map" peace plan to Palestinian statehood, he said.

The Palestinian leadership yesterday banned civilians from carrying
weapons and indicated that it would appoint a new interior minister,
Nasser Yousef, known for his tough stance against militants.

Palestinian police were preparing to deploy in central and southern
Gaza to prevent attacks on Israelis An increased presence was felt in
the area as police trained for their new assignments and repaired
long-abandoned police posts.

In local elections in 10 areas of Gaza yesterday, Hamas, the Islamic
Resistance Movement, which has been responsible for dozens of suicide
bombings, scored some big victories, according to exit polls,
defeating Mr Abbas´s Fatah party in three of the four communities
polled.

The Hamas victories reflected widespread support in Gaza for the
Islamic movement, which provides welfare, schools and kindergartens
to the poor.

The weapons ban was a gesture towards Israel and America, which have
long demanded the disarming of groups responsible for attacks that
have killed more than 1,000 Israelis.

It also sent a signal to Palestinians that the Abbas regime will be
based on law and order, and that police will not allow militants to
strut in public with their weapons.